Soil amendment compositions and methods for using the same

ABSTRACT

Soil amendment compositions and methods for using the same are provided. The subject compositions are aqueous compositions consisting essentially of a carbon-skeleton energy component, a predisposing agent and a vitamin-cofactor component. The subject compositions find use in a variety of soil amendment applications, including: the control of soil born pests and pathogens; the improvement in soil fertility and/or characteristics, e.g. mineral release, water filtration; the neutralization and/or degradation of toxins, etc.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.09/222,459 filed on Dec. 29, 1998; the disclosure of which is hereinincorporated by reference.

INTRODUCTION

1. Field of the Invention

The field of the invention is agriculture, particularly fertilizers.

2. Background

In agriculture, it is often desirable to use land that is not initiallyoptimal in terms of soil fertility. Fertilizers have been developed foruse on such land. Fertilizers are materials that are used to supplyelements needed for plant nutrition. Fertilizer materials may be in theform of solids, semi-solids, slurry suspensions, pure liquids, aqueoussolutions and gases. Fertilizing materials may be introduced into aplant s environment in a number of different ways, including throughaddition to the soil, through application directly to a plants foliage,and the like. The use of fertilizers is critical to commercialagriculture as fertilizers are essential to correct natural deficienciesand/or replace components in soil. A number of different types offertilizer compositions have been developed and employed in agriculture.However, there is continued interest in the development of newfertilizer compositions.

Another problem encountered by farmers and other agricultural workers issoil infestation with deleterious pests and/or pathogens. A variety ofsynthetic chemical pesticides have been developed over the years totreat pest or pathogen infested soils. While such synthetic chemicalshave been used with success, their use is not without controversy.Specifically, there is increasing public concern over the potential linkbetween pesticide use and human disease conditions. As such, there iscontinued interest in the identification of new compositions which arecapable of controlling soil borne pests or pathogens.

Relevant Literature

U.S. Patents of interest include: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,549,729; 5,582,627;5,696,094; 5,797,976; the disclosure of which are herein incorporated byreference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Soil amendment compositions and methods for their use are provided. Thesubject compositions are aqueous compositions that include apredisposing agent, a carbon skeleton energy component and avitamin-cofactor component. The subject compositions find use in avariety of different applications, including: the control of soil bornepests or pathogens; the neutralization and/or degradation of toxins; theimprovement of soil characteristics, e.g. water permeability; theimprovement of soil fertility; etc.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT

Aqueous compositions and methods for their use in soil amendmentapplications are provided. The subject compositions include apredisposing agent, a carbon-skeleton energy (CSE) source and a vitaminco-factor component. The subject compositions find use in a variety ofdifferent soil amendment applications, where such applications include:reducing the population of soil borne pests or pathogens; neutralizingor degrading soil toxins; improving soil characteristics; improving soilfertility; and the like. In further describing the invention, thecompositions are described first in greater detail followed by adiscussion of representative soil amendment methods in which the subjectcompositions find use.

Before the subject invention is described further, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the particularembodiments of the invention described below, as variations of theparticular embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope ofthe appended claims. It is also to be understood that the terminologyemployed is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments, and isnot intended to be limiting. Instead, the scope of the present inventionwill be established by the appended claims.

In this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,”“an” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical andscientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonlyunderstood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this inventionbelongs.

A feature component of the subject aqueous compositions is thepredisposing agent. By predisposing agent is meant an agent which cantraverse the membranes of a target pest or pathogen and thereby weakenthe pest or pathogen physiology by virtue of denaturation of key enzymes(e.g. cytochrome oxidase) and/or proteins, and the like. A variety ofdifferent compounds are capable of fulfilling the above functionalrequirements and thereby serving as predisposing agents. As such,predisposing agents of interest include: aromatic amino acids, e.g.tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan; phenols and derivatives and generalproducts or reactants of the Shikimic Acid Pathway, e.g. cinnamic acid,chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, coumaric acid, catechuic acid, ferulicacid, chorismic acid, quinic acid, gallic acid, gallotannins,scopeletin, dicoumarol, preocenes, phytoalexins such as orchinol,phaseolin, pisatin, isocoumarin, and the like; lignin alcohols e.g.coniferyl, sinapyl; p-coumaryl; flavonoids e.g. cyanidin, anthocyanidin,pelargonidin, delphinidin, malidin, peonidin, petunidin; flavonols andflavones; betalains e.g. betacyanin, betalain, betaxanthin; alkaloidse.g. caffeine, nicotine, theobromine;limonene-1-Methyl-4-(1-Methylethenyl) cyclohexene; p-mentha-1,8-diene;lignosulfonates, e.g. calcium lignosulfonate, potassium lignosulfonate,sodium lignosulfonate, ammonium lignosulfonate; and the like. Also ofinterest as predisposing agents are members and/or products of thepentose phosphate pathway, as well as derivatives or analogues thereof,where representative agents of interest include, but are not limited to:glucose-6-phosphate; D-Glucono-1,5-lactone 6-phosphate;6-Phospho-D-gluconate; D-Ribulose 5-phosphate; ribose-5-phosphate;fructose-6-phosphate; glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate; NADPH; and the like.

The subject compositions may include a single predisposing agent or aplurality of different predisposing agents. When a plurality ofdifferent predisposing agents are employed, the number of differentpredisposing agents may range from about 2 to 6, usually from about 2 to5 and more usually from about 2 to 4.

The total amount of predisposing agent(s) that is present in the subjectcompositions is sufficient to achieve the desired weakening in thetarget pest or pathogen present in the soil. Generally, the amountpresent in the composition is sufficient to achieve a concentration inthe soil following treatment ranging from about 5 to 650 ppm, usuallyfrom about 10 to 350 ppm and more usually from about 25 to 200 ppm. Theamount of predisposing agent present in the composition may varydepending on whether the composition is to be applied as is to the soilor diluted prior to application, e.g. where the composition is aconcentrate, as described infra. However, in many embodiments, the totalamount of predisposing agent present in the composition ranges fromabout 5 to 75, usually from about 10 to 60 and more usually from about15 to 60% w/w of the composition.

A particularly preferred predisposing agent in many embodiments of theinvention is a lignosulfonate. Lignosulfonates of interest include:calcium lignosulfonate, potassium lignosulfonate, sodium lignosulfonate,ammonium lignosulfonate; and the like. The lignosulfonate is generallypresent in the composition in an amount that is sufficient to achieve aconcentration in the soil following application that ranges from about 5to 650 ppm, usually from about 10 to 350 ppm and more usually from about25 to 200 ppm. In many embodiments, the amount of lignosulfonate presentin the composition ranges from about 5 to 75% w/w, usually from about 10to 50% w/w and more usually from about 15 to 60% w/w of the composition.Lignosulfonates are generally available from Westway Terminal, StocktonCalif.; PM Ag, Stockton Calif.; Georgia Pacific, Bellingham Wash.; andthe like.

Also of particular interest as a predisposing agent is gallic acid. Whenpresent, gallic acid is present in an amount sufficient to achieve asoil concentration ranging from about 0.05 to 5.0 ppm, usually fromabout 0.1 to 5.0 ppm and more usually from about 0.2 to 1.0 ppm. In manyembodiments, the amount of gallic acid present in the composition rangesfrom about 0.001 to 15% w/w, usually from about 0.001 to 10% w/w andmore usually from about 0.01 to 10% w/w.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the subject soil amendmentcompositions include both a lignosulfonate and gallic acid. In suchembodiments, the amounts of each of these agents in the composition aresufficient to achieve a lignosulfonate concentration in the treated soilthat ranges from about 10 to 650 ppm and a gallic acid concentration inthe soil that ranges from about 0.05 to 5.0 ppm. In many compositionsfalling within the scope of this preferred embodiment, the amount oflignosulfonate ranges from about 10 to 50% w/w of the composition whilethe amount of gallic acid ranges from about 0.001 to 10% w/w of thecomposition.

A second feature component of the subject compositions is the carbonskeleton energy (CSE) component. CSE components that find use in thesubject compositions are carbon containing substances which provide areadily assimilable source of both carbon and energy for promotingmicrobial proliferation. Preferably, the CSE component provides acomplex array of various carbon compounds such that varied enzymology isinduced in microbes present in the target soil. As such, CSE sourcesthat favor ancestral, beneficial species, which normally carry complexenzyme systems (as opposed to more simplified forms hosted byfacultative pathogens) are particularly preferred. Generally, the carbonskeleton energy component is a C₂ to C₁₀, usually C₄ to C₈ compound orpolymer thereof, e.g. a polymer in which the monomeric units are C₂ toC₁₀ compounds, such as a polysaccharide. The CSE component may be asingle carbon containing compound or a composition of two or moredifferent carbon containing or organic compounds. Compounds andcompositions capable of serving as a CSE component include: complexorganic compositions, such as molasses (e.g. cane, sugar beet, sorghum,etc.), whey, corn steep liquor, grape syrup, maple syrup, corn syrup,etc; sugars, e.g. sucrose, fructose, glucose, lactose, galactose,dextrose, maltose, raffinose, ribose, ribulose, xylulose, xylose,amylose, arabinose, etc.; sugar phosphates, e.g. fucose-P, galactose-P,glucose-P, lactose-P, maltose-P, mannose-P, ribose-P, ribulose-P,xylose-P, xylulose-P, etc.; sugar alcohols, e.g. adonitol, sorbitol,mannitol, maltitol, ribitol, galactitol, glucitol, etc.; organic acids,e.g. gluccuronic acid, alpha ketoglutaric acid, galactonic acid,glucaric acid, gluconic acid, pyruvic acid, polygalacturonic acid,citric acid, succinic acid, malic acid, isocitric acid, folic acid,etc.; nucleotides and bases, e.g. adenosine, adenosine-P, uridine,uridine-P, thymine, thymine-P, cytosine, cytosine-P, guanine, guanine-P,etc.; and amino acids, e.g. glycine, alanine, leucine, isoleucine,asparagine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, serine, cysteine, valine, proline,methionine, glutamine, threonine, lysine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid,arginine, and the like.

The CSE component is present in an amount sufficient to provide for aconcentration in the target soil upon application that ranges from about5 to 650 ppm, usually from about 10 to 350 ppm and more usually fromabout 25 to 200 ppm. In many embodiments, the amount of CSE component inthe composition ranges from about 5 to 75% w/w, usually from about 10 to50% w/w and more usually from about 15 to 60% w/w.

In a preferred embodiment, the CSE source is a molasses. Molasses may beobtained from a number of commercial sources, including cane molasses,etc., where commercial sources of molasses include: Westway Terminal,Stockton Calif.; PM Ag, Stockton, Calif.; and the like.

The final component is a vitamin-cofactor. A variety of agents arecapable of serving as the vitamin-cofactor component of the subjectaqueous compositions. Such agents include: yeast extract, yeast, vitaminBs, e.g. thiamine pyrophosphate, riboflavin, biotin, pantothenic acid,phosphatidylcholine, inositol, PABA, nicotinic acid, folic acid andmixtures thereof, and the like. Of particular interest as avitamin-cofactor is yeast extract, particularly yeast extract obtainedfrom spray dried extract, as available from Feedstuffs, Inc., StocktonCalif.; Calif. Spray Dry, Stockton, Calif.; and the like. The amount ofvitamin-cofactor component present in the composition is sufficient toprovide a concentration in the treated soil that ranges from about 0.01to 10 ppm, usually from about 0.01 to 5.0 ppm and more usually fromabout 0.01 to 1 ppm. The amount of vitamin co-factor present in thecomposition generally ranges from about 0.001 to 15% w/w, usually fromabout 0.001% to 10% w/w and more usually from about 0.01 to 5.0% w/w.

Importantly, the composition includes substantially no macronutrients,e.g. nitrogen, potassium, phosphorous; or micronutrients, e.g. zinc,iron or manganese. By substantially no is meant that the amount of anyone of these elements, if present in the composition, is insufficientfor the element to influence the overall activity of the composition orthe amendment of the target soil, i.e. the amount of the component isinsufficient to make the component an active ingredient of thecomposition. As such, for nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, theamount present in the composition, if present at all, does not exceedabout 5% and preferably does not exceed about 2.5%, and more preferablydoes not exceed about 1%, 0.5% or 0.25%. For iron, zinc and manganese,the amount present in the composition, if present at all, does notexceed about 2% and preferably does not exceed about 1% and morepreferably does not exceed about 0.5% or 0.25%. In many embodiments, thecompositions will have none of these macronutrient and micronutrientcomponents. Despite the lack of these macro- and micronutrients, thecomposition exhibits significant soil amendment activity.

As the subject compositions are aqueous compositions, they furtherinclude a substantial amount of water. The amount of water present inthe composition may vary depending on whether the composition is aconcentrated or dilute composition. Generally, the compositions includeat least about 5%, usually at least about 20% and more usually at leastabout 30% water, where the amount of water present in the compositionmay be as high as 80% or higher, but generally does not exceed about 70%and usually does not exceed about 40%.

The above soil amendment compositions are prepared by combining waterwith the various agents under conditions sufficient to produce anaqueous solution containing the various agents. The water that is usedto produce the subject compositions may be tap water obtained from anyconvenient water source, e.g. a municipal water district, where thewater may be purified or otherwise treated, e.g. to remove certainundesirable agents that may be initially present therein. The variousagents to be solubilized in the water to produce the soil amendmentcompositions may be obtained from any convenient source, e.g. commercialvendor. For example, the carbohydrate component may be derived from acommercially available carbohydrate source, such as commerciallyavailable molasses, etc.

In preparing the subject soil fertilizer compositions, a concentrated orparent composition may first be produced, which parent composition ormix may or may not be diluted with water.

The subject aqueous compositions find use in a variety of soil amendmentapplications, i.e. methods of improving soil. In practicing the subjectmethods, the aqueous composition is contacted with the soil underconditions sufficient to achieve the desired concentrations of theagents of the composition in the soil. By contact is meant that thecomposition is introduced into the soil such that the desiredconcentration of the disparate components of the composition is obtainedin the soil. As such, contact can include spraying so that thecomposition soaks into the soil, injecting the composition into thesoil, flooding the soil with the composition, and the like. Contact isperformed such that the concentration in the soil of the predisposingagent following treatment is at least about 5 ppm, usually at leastabout 20 ppm and more usually at least about 60 ppm, where theconcentration of the predisposing agent following treatment may be ashigh as 650 ppm or higher, but generally does not exceed about 200 ppmand usually does not exceed about 60 ppm. Contacting also results in aconcentration of the CSE component in the soil that is at least about 5ppm, usually at least about 20 ppm and more usually at least about 60ppm, where contact may result in a concentration of the CSE componentthat is 650 ppm or higher, but generally does not exceed about 200 ppmand usually does not exceed about 60 ppm. In addition, contact of thecomposition with the soil results in a vitamin-cofactor concentration inthe soil that is at least about 0.01 ppm, usually at least about 0.05ppm and more usually at least about 1.0 ppm, where the vitamin-cofactorconcentration may be as high as 10 ppm or higher, but generally does notexceed about 5.0 ppm and usually does not exceed about 1.0 ppm.

The amount of aqueous composition that is used during any oneapplication will vary greatly depending on the nature of the soil, thenature of the composition, the environmental conditions, etc. Wherecrops are treated with the subject compositions, the amount that isapplied based on treated acreage is generally at least about 5 to 240gal per acre, usually at least about 10 to 120 gal per acre, and moreusually at least about 20 to 60 gal per acre, where the amount that isapplied may be as high as 480 gal per acre or higher, but will usuallynot exceed about 240 gal per acre.

Depending on the nature of the soil, the nature of the composition, andthe environmental conditions, as well as other factors, the compositionmay be applied more than once over a given period of time. As such, thecomposition may be applied daily, weekly, every two weeks, monthly etc.

The aqueous compositions of the subject invention find use in a varietyof different applications, where such applications include: the controlof soil borne pests and pathogens; the improvement of water filtration;the improvement in mineral release; the enhancement in the water holdingcapacity of soil; the mellowing of soil textural qualities; theenhancement of the decomposition of plant tissues and accelerateddegradation of potentially toxic chemicals and/or allelopathicchemicals; the improvement of root mass in plants grown in treated soil;and the like.

A variety of different soil borne pests may be controlled with thesubject compositions. Such pests include: plant parasitic nematodes,phylloxera, grubs, and the like. By contolled is meant that the pestpopulation in the soil is reduced, generally by at least about 5%,usually at least about 25% and more usually at least about 50%. As such,the invention provides methods and compositions for at least reducing,if not substantially eliminating, the population of soil borne pests insoil.

Similarly, the subject methods and compositions provide means forreducing the amount of pathogen present in soil. Pathogens that can betargeted with the subject methods include: pathogenic fungi,actinomycetes, bacteria, viruses, and the like. The subject methodsresult in a reduction of at least about 5%, usually at least about 25%,and more usually at least about 50% of the amount of pathogen in thesoil.

Also provides by the subject invention are methods and compositions forincreasing indigenous soil microbe populations. Beneficial microbeswhose population may be increased by the subject invention include:bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, various free-living invertebrates, andthe like. Applying the composition to the soil according to the subjectmethods results in at lease a 2-fold increase, usually at least about a20-fold increase and more usually at least about 40-fold increase in themicrobe population in the treated soil.

The subject methods and compositions can also be used to improve waterfiltration through the soil. Water filtration may be improved by atleast about 1.5×, usually at least about 2.5× and more usually at leastabout 4.5×.

Soil mineral release can also be enhanced using the subject methods andcompositions. Mineral release, e.g. the release of minerals such ascalcium, potassium and phosphorous, can be improved by at least about1.5×, usually at least about 3.0× and more usually at least about 5.0×as compared to that observed in control soil.

Finally, the subject methods and compositions can be used to increasethe root mas of plants grown in the treated soil. Generally, the subjectmethods result in an increase in root mass of at least about 1.5×,usually at least about 2.0× and more usually at least about 4.0× ascompared to control plants, i.e. plants grown in untreated but otherwisesubstantially identical soil.

The following experiments are offered by way of illustration and not byway of limitation.

EXPERIMENTAL

I. Tests to Indicate Efficacy of Various Predisposing Agents

The merits of alternative predisposing agents were examined bysubjecting J2 larvae of the Root Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne incognita)to solutions of lignosulfonate and gallic acid. J2 larvaewere exposed 24hours to various concentrations of the materials in shallow 50 mlbeakers. Following exposure, nematodes were inspected for activity levelusing touch response: Replications Treatment 1 2 3 4 Total Mean Control% 1000 ppm Ligno 256/452 262/460 235-/445   245/490 998/1847 250/46245.9% 5 ppm Gal Ac 305/462 316/440 326/447 302/450 1249/1799  312/45030.7% 25 ppm Gal Ac 250/458 248/449 232/459 225/462 955/1828 239/45747.7% 100 ppm Gal Ac 193/450 185/448 176/436 150/464 704/1798 176/45060.9% 1000 ppm Gal Ac  25/449  39/444  40/454  27/460 131/1807  33/45292.7%Ligno = Ca LignosulfanateGal Ac = Gallic AcidNumbers listed are the active, responding nematodes per total examined(viable/total)II. Compositions

Two amendment compositions were prepared: (a) an enhanced composition;and (b) a standard composition.

A. Enhanced (Enh) Composition Utilized Amount Final ConcentrationComponent Material Source % w/w of a.i. in Total Mix Carbon Skeleton-Hi- Brix Molasses 35% 17.5% CSE Energy (CSE) Predisposing CaLignosulfonate 35% 17.6% Predisp. Agent Agent Gallic Acid 0.10%  Vitamin-Cofactor Yeast Extract 2.5%   1.3% Vit-Cofactor Water Tap Water27.5%   27.5% WaterHi-Brix Molasses obtained from Westway Terminal, Stockton, CACaLignosulfonate obtained from Georgia-PacificGallic Acid obtained from Sigma Chemical CompanyYeast Extract obtained from Sigma Chemical Company

B. Standard (Std) Composition Utilized Final Concentration of ComponentMaterial Source Amount % w/w a.i. in Total Mix CSE Hi Brix Molasses  32%16.0% CSE Complexing Agent Ca Lignosulfonate  32% 16.0% Cplx NitrogenUrea (23% N)   5%}  1.7% Nitrogen KN0₃ (13.9% N)  3.8%} Potassium KN0₃(38.7% K) 3.8%  1.5% Potassium Phosphorus H₃P0₄ (23.7% P) 3.4%  0.8%Phosphorus Zinc ZnS0₄-7H₂0 (36% Zn) 0.8%  0.3% Zinc Iron FeS0₄-7H₂0 (31% Fe) 0.8%  0.3% Iron Manganese MnS0₄—H₂0 (28% Mn) 0.8%  0.2% ManganeseVitamin B Cplx Vitamin B Cplx 1.0% 0.04% B-Complex Water Tap Water20.4%  20.4% Water

III. Comparative Examples

The above enhanced and standard compositions were compared in a varietyof settings

A. Enhancement of Indigenous Microbe Populations

An inactive soil with low microbial activity was treated with 50 gpaStandard Mix and 50 gpa of the Enhanced Mixture and irrigated toincorporate the materials. Approximately 120 hours after treatment soilsamples were secured and processed for examination of bacterialpopulations through dilution plating. Std and Enh are abbreviations forStandard and Enhanced Mix. The following results were observed:Replications Treatment 1 2 3 4 5 Total Mean Control 1.7 1.5 1.3 1.1 1.97.5  1.5 a 50 gpa Std 292.0 288.0 295.0 290.0 285.0 1,450.0 290.0 b 50gpa Enh 605.0 595.0 598.0 610.0 592.0 3,000.0 600.0 cPopulations are expressed in millions of colony forming units per gramof soilB. Enhancement of Soil Mineral Release

A relatively sterile soil was first examined for mineral releaseutilizing distilled water extraction. Portions of the field were thentreated with 50 gpa or the standard mix (Std) and 50 gpa of the enhancedcomposition (Enh) and irrigated to maintain activation of the microbes.Six weeks following treatment, the soil were identically examined formineral release. Model mineral elements examined were Ca, P and K. Thefollowing results were observed: Calcium Phosphorus Potassium TreatmentBefore After Diff. Before After Diff. Before After Diff. Control 9871002 +15 ppm 8 8 0 45 47 +2 ppm  +1.5% 0  +4.4% 50 gpa Std 992 1576 +584ppm 7 17 +10 ppm 49 97 +48 ppm +58.9% +143%  +98% 50 gpa Enh 972 2430+1458 ppm 8 32 +24 ppm 43 150 +107 ppm  +150% +300% +249%Except for %'s, all data are expressed as ppm mineral in the soilC. Reductions in Disease Inoculum

Soil heavily infested with sclerotia of the pathogenic fungus,Verticillium dahliae, was examined for inoculum levels. Soils were thentreated with 50 gpa Std and 50 gpa Enh material in which was mixedapproximately 20 trillion colony forming units (cfu's) of beneficialbacteria and fungi, i.e. 1 gallon beneficial microbe suspension (IOTA,sold by FUSION 360, Stockton, Calif.). That is, 50 gpa Std material+1gallon of beneficial bacteria & fungi were added per acre of soil.Likewise, 50 gpa Enh material+1 gallon of beneficial bacteria & fimgiwere added per acre of soil. The soil was maintained near 80% fieldcapacity to support microbial activity. Sixty days following thetreatment the soils were again examined for inoculum levels of Vdahliae. The following results were observed: Replications Treatment 1 23 4 T M Control Before 166 150 168 152 636 159 Control After 160 145 174160 639 160 Difference −6 −5 +6 +8 +3  +1 a 50 Std Bef 173 139 165 152629 157 50 Std Aft 65 55 59 61 240  60 Difference −108 −84 −106 −91 −389 −97 b 50 Enh Bef 180 172 166 170 688 172 50 Enh Aft 9 8 5 5 27  7Difference −171 −164 −161 −165 −651 −165 cAll cfu's of Verticillium dahliae are expressed per gram of soilD. Reductions in Plant-Parasitic Nematode Populations

A naturally infested vineyard was initially evaluated forplant-parasitic nematode (PPN) populations. Vines were then treated with50 gpa Std and 50 gpa Enh rates to which were each added 1 gallon of abacterial-fungal suspension hosting more than 20 trillion cfu's pergallon. Nematode populations were again evaluated at 4 and 8 months. Thefollowing results were observed: Replications Treatment 1 2 3 4 TotalMean Control Start 8,345 7,585 10,305 9,005 35,240  8,810 Control 4 mos11,025 7,225 8,455 12,985 39,690  9,923 Control 8 mos 13,220 10,25013,325 14,120 50,915 12,729 Overall Change +4,875 +2,665 +3,020 +5,115+15,675 +3,919 50 Std Start 10,115 9,210 8,225 11,895 39,445  9,861 50Std 4 mos 6,125 5,350 4,035 3,980 19,490  4,873 50 Std 8 mos 3,150 3,2752,305 2,970 11,700 2,925 b Overall Change −6,965 −5,935 −5,920 −8,925−27,745 −6,936 50 Enh Start 12,845 9,205 7,995 12,430 42,475 10,619 50Enh 4 mos 345 415 200 190 1,150   288 50 Enh 8 mos 75 20 15 nd 110   28c Overall Change −12,770 −9,185 −7,980 −12,430 −42,365 −10,591 All populations are the juvenile stages of Root-Knot Nematode,Meloidogyne incognita, per 250 cc of soilE. Increased Water Infiltration Rate

A soil with poor textural qualities was measured for water infiltrationrate. The method of measurement involved use of a 4″ diameter PVC pipewith one end shaped to facilitate each of placement into the soil. ThePVC pipe was pushed into the soil to a depth of 4″. A volume of waterwas then added to the cylinder and the rate of infiltration determined.Following initial measurements, the soil was treated with 50 gpa Std and50 gpa of the Enh material+1 gpa each of a bacterial-fungal suspensionwhich contained more than 20 trillion cfu's per gallon. Material wassprayed evenly over the surface of the soil and gently incorporated withirrigation water. The soil moisture was maintained near 80% fieldcapacity to encourage continuous microbial activity. All plots wereagain measured for rate of water infiltration 6 weeks followingtreatment. The following results were obtained: Replications Treatment 12 3 Total Mean Control Before 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.6 0.2 Control After 0.2 0.20.2 0.6 0.2 Overall Change 0 0 0 0 0 a 50 Std Before 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.6 0.250 Std After 0.6 0.6 0.6 1.8 0.6 Overall Change +0.4 +0.4 +0.4 +1.2 +0.4b 50 Enh Before 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.6 0.2 50 Enh After 0.8 0.8 0.8 2.4 0.8Overall Change +0.6 +0.6 +0.6 +1.8 +0.6 cValues represent inches per hour water infiltration rateValues represent inches per hour water infiltration rateF. Increased Root Mass

Bell pepper plants were treated with 50 gpa Std and 50 gpa Enh rates ofthe material. The treatment was supplemented with 1 gpa of abacterial-fungal suspension hosting more than 20 trillion cfu's pergallon. Following 3 months of growth, the plants were gently uprootedand the root volume evaluated on a relative scale with the controlassigned a value of 1.0. The following results were obtained:Replications Treatment 1 2 3 4 5 Total Mean Control 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.05.0 1.0 a 50 gpa Std 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 12.5 2.5 b 50 gpa Enh 3.4 3.23.0 3.2 3.4 16.2 3.2 cValues represent relative root mass of bell peppers in relation to thecontrol

It is evident from the above results and discussion that improved soilamendment compositions that are capable of improving soil in a number ofdifferent ways are provided. The compositions are relatively simple andeasy to produce. Despite their simplicity, the compositions can providefor significant improvement in terms of soil characteristics, such astexture, water filtration, mineral release and the like. Furthermore,the compositions are useful in reducing the population of soil bornepests and pathogens in the soil. In addition, the compositions are madeof natural products that do not pose a health risk to humans orlivestock. As such, the subject compositions are a significant advancein the art.

All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specificationare herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if eachindividual publication or patent application was specifically andindividually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

The invention now being fully described, it will be apparent to one ofskill in the art that many changes and modifications can be made theretowithout departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

1. An aqueous composition consisting essentially of: (a) a predisposingagent; (b) a carbon-skeleton-energy component; and (c) avitamin-cofactor.
 2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein saidcarbon-skeleton energy component comprises C₂ to C₁₀ molecules orpolymers thereof.
 3. The composition according to claim 1, wherein saidpredisposing agent comprises a lignosulfonate.
 4. The compositionaccording to claim 1, wherein said predisposing agent comprises gallicacid.
 5. The composition according to claim 1, wherein said predisposingagent comprises lignosulfonate and gallic acid.
 6. An aqueouscomposition consisting essentially of: a carbon skeleton energycomponent; a lignosulfonate; gallic acid; and a vitamin-cofactor.
 7. Thecomposition according to claim 6, wherein said carbon-skeleton energycomponent is a molasses.
 8. The composition according to claim 6,wherein said vitamin-cofactor is yeast extract.
 9. The compositionaccording to claim 6, wherein said carbon skeleton energy component isfrom about 10 to 50% w/w of said composition.
 10. The compositionaccording to claim 6, wherein said lignosulfonate is from about 10 to50% w/w of said composition.
 11. The composition according to claim 6,wherein said gallic acid is from about 0.001% to 10% w/w of saidcomposition.
 12. The composition according to claim 6, wherein saidvitamin-cofactor is from about 0.001 to 10% w/w of said composition. 13.An aqueous composition consisting of: (a) from about 10 to 50% w/w of amolasses; (b) from about 10 to 50% w/w of a lignosulfonate; (c) fromabout 0.001 to 10% w/w of gallic acid; and (d) from about 0.001 to 10%w/w of yeast extract.
 14. The composition according to claim 13, whereinsaid molasses makes up from about 30 to 40% w/w of said composition. 15.The composition according to claim 13, wherein said lignosulfonate makesup from about 30 to 40% w/w of said composition.
 16. The compositionaccording to claim 13, wherein said gallic acid makes up from about 0.01to 1.0% w/w of said composition.
 17. The composition according to claim13, wherein said yeast extract makes up from about 2 to 3% w/w of saidcomposition.
 18. The composition according to claim 13, wherein watermakes up from about 20 to 30% w/w of said composition.
 19. A method foramending soil, said method comprising: applying to said soil an aqueouscomposition consisting essentially of: (a) a carbon-skeleton-energycomponent; (b) a predisposing agent; and (c) a vitamin-cofactor.
 20. Themethod according to claim 19, wherein said method results in at leastone of: (a) enhancement of the indigenous microbe population of saidsoil; (b) enhancement of the mineral release ability of said soil; (c)reduction in disease inoculum present in said soil; (d) reduction inparasitic nematode population in said soil; (e) enhancement of waterfiltration through said soil; and (f) enhancement in the fertility ofsaid soil.